Electric-arc lamp.



,No. 645,499. Patented Mar. I3, I900.

W. .VOGEL. 1

ELECTRIC ARC LAMP.

(Application filed Aug. 6, 1899) 2 Sheets$heat (No Model.)

A TTOHNEYS.

No. 645,499. Patented Mai. l3, I900.

w. VOGEL.

ELECTRIC ARC LAMP.

(Applicatibn filed Aug. 5, 1899.) (No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 2.

A77'ORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM VOGEL, OF NEXV YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC-ARC LAM P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 645,499, dated March 13, 1900. Application filed August 5, 1899. Serial No. 726,239. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern;

Be it known that I, VILLIAM VOGEL, a citizen of the Empire of Germany, residing in New York, in the borough of Manhattan and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric-Arc Lamps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in electric-arc lamps for alternating currents and of that class in which the voltaic arc is formed at the circumference of intermittently-rotating carbon disks; and the object is to provide an arc-lamp of very extended duration and comparatively-simple construction in which special mechanism for focusing is dispensed with and whereby a powerful and steady light is obtained.

The invention consists of an electric-arc lamp which comprises two solenoids, rotary carbon disks supported on the ends of the movable cores of said solenoids, means for intermittently rotating the carbon disks when they are separated at their circumference, and mechanism between the cores of the solenoids and a stationary point located adjacent to the contact-point of the carbon disks for controlling and equalizing the movement of the carbon disks.

The invention consists, further, of certain details of construction, which will be fully described hereinafter and finally pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure'l represents a side elevation of my improved electric-arc lamp arranged as a ceiling-lamp. Fig. 2 is a bottom view of Fig. 1; and Figs. 3 and at are respectively a side view and a plan view of a modified construction of myimproved arc-lamp, showing the lamp arranged as a walllamp and with the solenoids cl, journaled in bearings of the recessed ends of the cores. The inner ends of the cores 0 O are connected by insulated pivots e to lazytong's E, the center pivot of which is applied to a stationary center-post E, which is attached to the main plate 13, said center-post being vertically above the contact-point of the carbon disks D D. The lazy-tongs are connected at their outer ends at each side of the center pivot by helical springs f, as shown in Fig. 2, which tend to contract the members of the lazy-tongs, so as to bring the carbon disks in contact with each other when no current is passed through the solenoids. hen the carbon disks form contact with each other, the lamp is in its normal position of inactivity. The point of contact of the carbon disks is in horizontal line with the axes of the cores and solenoids. To the shaft of each disk D is applied a ratchet-wheel g, the teeth of which are engaged by a springpawl g, that is pivoted to a stationary arm 9 attached to the inner faces of the solenoids 1,) while the entire lamp is preferably inclosed by a globe of semi-oval shape. (Not shown) It is preferable to evacuate the air from the interior of the globe, so that the consu mption of the carbon disks is retarded. For this purpose the circumference of the semioval, globe is cemented or otherwise sealed hermetically in a suitable groove of the porcelain main plate B.

In the modification shown in Figs.- 3 and 4t the solenoids of my improved electric-arc lamp are not arranged in line with each other, but at a suitable acute angle to each other, so that the lamp can be used as a bracketlamp, while the lamp shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is intended to be used as a center-lamp applied directly to the ceiling of the room to be lighted. In the construction shown in Figs.

8 and 4 the lazy-tongs E are connected with the rear ends of the cores 0 of the solenoids A. The ends of the links of the lazy-tongs have a pin-and-slot connection with the cores 0, so as to permit the proper play of the lazy tongs frame on the rear ends of the cores. The opposite ends of the lazy-tongs E are connected transversely by a helical spring I), by which the carbon disks are forced to con tact with each other. The solenoids are supported on suitable brackets of the supporting-plate B, the opposite central pivot e of the lazy-tongs being applied to the fixed .post E on said main plate in an analogous manner to the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The outer ends of the cores 0 carry the rotary carbon disks D in the same manner as in the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, while the mechanism for intermittently rotating the carbon disks operates in the same manner. The stationary guide-rollers t for the outer ends of the cores 0 produce the proper guiding of the cores under the joint influence of the electric current supplied to the solenoids and the spring-actuated lazytongs applied to the ends of the cores.

The operation of my improved electric-arc lamp is as follows: The alternating current supplied from the generating-dynamo first traverses the coil of one solenoid A or A, then a binding-post at the rear end of its core, then the core to the carbon disk supported at the inner end of the same, then this disk and the carbon disk of the second core, through that core, and through the coil of the other solenoid back to the opposite pole of the generator, as shown in Fig. 1. As soon as the solenoids are supplied with alternating current the cores are drawn into the solenoids in opposition to the tension of the helical springs applied to the lazy-tongs, so that the carbon disks are separated at their circumferential point of contact and immediately a powerful voltaic arc is set up, the light of which is thrown in downward direction, as the disks are located horizontally, and there are no parts below the disks to obstruct the light or produce shadows. By the separating of the carbon disks under the influence of the line-current the ratchet mechanism is operated and the carbon disks turned intermittently whenever the ratchet-teeth are brought in engagement with the pawl. Irregularities in the strength of the current are counteracted by the springactuated lazy-tongs, so that a uniform arc is obtained and the uniform consumption of the carbons produced. The regular movement of the carbon disks toward and away from is neutralized and the reliable and effective formation of an arc of uniform size obtained at the circumference of the carbon disks.

As the arc is preferably formed in a vacuum,

the carbon disks burn perfectly and noiselessly and no sputtering or other irregularities are produced, so that a perfect and steady electric arc is obtained.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. An electric-arc lamp, consisting of a pair of solenoids, carbon disks pivoted to the inner ends of the cores of the solenoids, means for intermittent-1y rotating said carbon disks, so as to successively bring new points of the circumferences of the disks to the arc, a stationary central point, and a spring-actuated mechanism connecting the stationary central point with the cores of the solenoids, so that a controlled motion of both carbon disks is obtained, substantially as set forth.

2. An electric-arc lamp, consisting of two solenoids, carbon disks pivoted to the inner ends of the cores of the solenoids, means for intermittently rotating said carbon disks when the cores are drawn in to form the arc, and spring-actuated lazy-tongs pivoted to a stationary center-post and at the ends to the cores, substantially as set forth.

3. An electric-arc lamp, consisting of two solenoids, carbon disks pivoted to the inner ends of the cores of the solenoids, a pawl andratchet mechanism applied to the shafts of the carbon disks so as to impart an intermittent rotary motion to the same, and springactuated lazy-tongs, the outer ends of which are pivotally connected with the cores of the solenoids, while the center of the same is applied to a stationary point located vertically above the point of contact of the carbon disks, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM VOGEL.

Witnesses:

PAUL GoErEL, M. H. WUR'rzEL. 

